Youth hub secures £450,000 lottery funding

A new youth centre has received £450,000 in National Lottery funding.

Oxford City Council said the "vital" funds would support the staffing team and activity programme at Leys Youth Hub in Blackbird Leys, Oxford, over the next four years.

Chewe Munkonge, cabinet member for a healthy Oxford, said he was "delighted" to receive the funding, and that it would "make a real difference to young people in Blackbird Leys".

Building work on the hub began in September, with the hub expected to open at the end of the Spring at Blackbird Leys Leisure Centre.

It also received a £1.1m grant last year from the government's Youth Investment Fund, which has gone towards the construction work and staffing.

The hub will feature a climbing wall, teaching kitchen, music and media studio, social areas, and a "diverse range of activities designed to empower and engage young people", the council said.

The facility will be run by the authority's Youth Ambition service in partnership with Oxfordshire County Council's targeted youth support service.

While the lottery funding will support operations for four years, there will be a "tapered approach" in the third and fourth years to "work towards a sustainable, community-led model".

Mr Munkonge said the hub would provide a "safe and supportive space where [young people] can develop new skills, build their confidence, and have their own community space to form connections and have fun".

Helen Bushell, head of regional funding for the south at the National Lottery Community Fund, said she was "proud to support amazing projects like the Leys Youth Hub, which strengthens society and helps the community in Oxford come together".

Nick Temple, the CEO for Social Investment Business, the delivery partner for the Youth Investment Fund, said it was "very welcome news for young people in Blackbird Leys".

He added: "We are thrilled that the Leys Youth Hub has a secure future and look forward to celebrating when the new building opens its doors to young people in Spring."

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